Saturday Shenanigans in the ACC

VIRGINIA TECH AT VIRGINIA

The Kentucky Wildcats have an entire roster full of future pros, but guess who is the best defensive team in the entire country? Yep, the Cavaliers. Worse yet (for their opponents) is as they battle through the injuries of Justin Anderson and London Perrantes, the defense has just gotten stingier, while role players slowly step up to fill the the scoring holes. Anthony Gill has double digit points in six of his last seven, while Darion Atkins has hit 9 of 12 from the floor in his last two.

The Virginia Tech Hokies are coming off their best effort, holding a lead against top-five Duke in the second half, eventually falling in overtime. They were lights out from deep and their 130.7 offensive efficiency rating was their season high…yet again, they lost. It’s hard to see how they can emotionally put that defeat behind them, walk in Charlottesville and even keep it close.

WORTHLESS PREDICTION: Virginia, 68-48

LOUISVILLE AT FLORIDA STATE

The Cardinals head down to Tallahassee for their final road game of the season. They’re coming off a one-point win over the Yellow Jackets, their first game since Chris Jones was dismissed permanently. Overall, they didn’t play well; didn’t shoot well (39% from two, 31% from three) and struggled to rebound. Yet, behind a strong second half storm by Terry Rozier (22 points) and a solid defensive effort, they pulled out the win.

Florida State lost to Miami, despite the fact Xavier Rathan-Mayes score 30 points in the game’s final five minutes. Let’s see what he can do as a follow up, because all eyes will be on him, especially from the Cardinal defenders. Look for Louisville to try to minimize the freshman’s touches with the press, which means expect another low scoring, turnover filled game.

WORTHLESS PREDICTION: Louisville, 57-50

NC STATE AT BOSTON COLLEGE

The Wolfpack are rolling now, having won three in a row, including an emotional road victory over rival North Carolina. Can they keep it up? They’re facing Boston College, so yeah. The Eagles are in dead last, having lost nine straight. Worse yet, they tend to do worse at home. They have just two scoring threats; Aaron Brown and Olivier Hanlan. The latter is the ACC’s top scorer, averaging 22.5 points per in ACC games. He’s coming off a 39-point effort and has scored 28+ in five of his last seven. Yet, that’s it. No one else can score, especially inside.

Of course NC State’s big men don’t score either, but they do take up space, defend, block shots and rebound, while Trevor Lacey, Anthony Barber and Ralston Turner handle the scoring load.

WORTHLESS PREDICTION: NC State, 81-67

GEORGIA TECH AT CLEMSON

The one game that features two teams that have no shot at going to the NCAA Tournament (barring a ACC Tournament win). The Clemson Tigers looked like they were going to challenge for a spot, but they then dropped four of five, beating only Virginia Tech. Georgia Tech never had a shot as they continued to not win tight games. Erase the Virginia and North Carolina loses, their other 11 ACC loses were by a combined 39 points.

Both teams can play a little D, as both are top-35 in the nation in Defense efficiency, yet neither are capable of forcing turnovers. Yet, while the Yellow Jackets can rebound (11th in Off. Reb %), Clemson will get enough points from Jaron Blossomgame and Jordan Roper.